The Projection

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Over the past few months, ever since Fisher Tiger wreaked havoc in the Holy Land, the Navy had urgently recalled a number of retired soldiers and recruited an additional batch of new Navy recruits.

At this time, Marineford had more people than it had in previous years.

Today was merely another ordinary day in the routinely bustling Marineford.

The soldiers should have been training, patrolling, and carrying out missions as usual.

However, just moments ago, they had received an urgent notice.

"All personnel, proceed to the nearest training ground in squads. The Fleet Admiral's office has important news to announce!"

Upon hearing this, some soldiers were puzzled. What news required such a solemn announcement?

Others relaxed, thinking they might get the afternoon off.

Still others thought of the recent rumors about that Commodore and figured that perhaps Fleet Admiral Sengoku was finally going to respond to the matter.

Thus, amid the noisy chatter, tens of thousands of soldiers headed for their nearest training grounds.

When they arrived at the closest training ground, they discovered something.

A screen and a Visual Den Den Mushi had been added to what had once been a simple training ground.

Seeing those things, the Navy soldiers were all somewhat surprised.

There had been special announcements in the past, calling them to the training grounds to hear about major matters.

However, messages delivered through a Visual Den Den Mushi had only happened a few times, and without exception, they had all concerned major events.

"A Visual Den Den Mushi? I've only seen one a few times."

"Do you think Fleet Admiral Sengoku will appear in this projection? I've never seen him before..."

"I'd rather see what Admiral Zephyr looks like."

"I want to get a good look at the legendary Navy hero, Vice Admiral Garp!"

For a time, every training ground was filled with discussion.

Buru—

As the Den Den Mushi's eyes lit up, the voices in the training grounds gradually fell silent.

A figure appeared on the screen.

He was tall and broad, wearing a Navy cap and frog-shaped glasses. His chin beard was tied into braided twists, and the authority in his gaze made people afraid to meet his eyes.

Behind him hung a calligraphy scroll bearing the words: "Justice Reigns Over the World."

This man was none other than the Fleet Admiral of the Navy, Sengoku the Buddha.

Zephyr and Garp might stroll freely through Sengoku's office every day.

But as the supreme authority of the entire Navy, ordinary soldiers could hardly ever interact with Sengoku beyond seeing him in newspapers.

And naturally, quite a few Navy soldiers worshipped him as Fleet Admiral.

So, the moment Sengoku appeared on the projection, deafening cries rang out across all of Marineford.

"It's Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the legendary Sengoku the Buddha!"

"I saw Fleet Admiral Sengoku fight a long time ago. He was unbelievably powerful!"

"Seeing him truly beats hearing about him a hundred times. He really deserves the title of 'Strategist.' Just looking at him, you can tell how wise he is."

For a time, every training ground was filled with admiration for Sengoku.

Meanwhile, Beiyuan Heng was hiding in a corner of one training ground, watching the soldiers shout Sengoku's name.

"No wonder the Navy can suppress those vicious pirates of the New World. The reverence these people have for Sengoku alone is something those pirates can never compare to."

"After all, the Navy truly has brought them order and stability."

And this was only Sengoku. If the man on the screen had been replaced by the Navy hero Garp, he did not dare imagine how uproarious Marineford would be.

After all, most of these Navy soldiers had joined the Navy because of Garp's name.

Clearly, Sengoku also knew what would happen after he appeared.

"Silence!" Sengoku spoke, his voice filled with authority.

In an instant, all of Marineford became so quiet that a needle dropping could be heard.

"Regarding Commodore Beiyuan Heng becoming Admiral Zephyr's successor recently, I believe most of you have already heard about it," Sengoku said.

The moment he said this, the crowd erupted.

"Who exactly is this Beiyuan Heng? I've never even heard of him."

"How did he suddenly become Admiral Zephyr's successor? Does he really have the strength for it?"

Many Navy soldiers waved their arms in protest, as if they themselves should have been the ones to inherit Admiral Zephyr's legacy.

Their words were full of doubts about Beiyuan Heng's identity and strength.

It could only be said that Beiyuan Heng's efforts to fan the flames over the past few days had worked remarkably well.

Sengoku said nothing more through the Visual Den Den Mushi.

He merely took out a prepared Visual Den Den Mushi and pressed a finger against its shell.

With a whoosh—

Sengoku's figure vanished from the screen, replaced by Zephyr and Beiyuan Heng.

The scene showed the battle between Zephyr and Beiyuan Heng from that day.

"What's going on? That's Admiral Zephyr..."

"So the other person is Beiyuan Heng? That's Commodore Beiyuan Heng?"

"Now that you mention it, I think I've seen him before. He's been training around these training grounds for the past few days."

As he spoke, the Navy soldier looked around, seemingly searching for Beiyuan Heng. After failing to find him, he turned back to the screen.

"Why is Fleet Admiral Sengoku showing us this?"

"Since Lord Sengoku is showing it to us, he must have some deeper reason."

The footage continued. Zephyr and Beiyuan Heng stood facing each other, both already poised to attack.

"No way! Admiral Zephyr is actually going to fight that kid?"

"That kid is seriously overestimating himself. He actually dares to fight an Admiral? He really has no idea of his own limits."

"Even if Admiral Zephyr has restricted his strength, he isn't someone an ordinary person can fight!"

Some wore looks of disdain, believing that the kid would soon be beaten flat by Admiral Zephyr.

Others thought that Beiyuan Heng deserved praise for his courage in daring to fight an Admiral.

However, as the footage continued, what it showed exceeded everyone's expectations...

In the first clash between Beiyuan Heng and Zephyr, Zephyr was sent flying backward.

At that moment, countless Navy soldiers were filled with shock.

The invincible Admiral Zephyr in their hearts had actually been sent flying by a single punch from some kid.

How was that possible?!

Before the shock in their hearts could fade...

The entire process of the two clashing with Armament Haki had already appeared before their eyes.

Although the vast majority of Navy soldiers did not know what Armament Haki was, they had still heard of Admiral Zephyr's reputation as Black Arm.

Some Navy soldiers were deeply astonished to see Beiyuan Heng wielding a power similar to Admiral Zephyr's Black Arm.

But just like before—

Before that trace of surprise could fade, something even more jaw-dropping was revealed!

Beiyuan Heng unleashed his final move, and the entire image suddenly shook!

Clearly, even the Den Den Mushi that had recorded the entire battle had been frightened.

On the screen, Zephyr coughed lightly and spat out a mouthful of blood.

All of Marineford instantly fell into dead silence.